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SEPTEMBER 2022
I SURVIVED A TORNADO — AND YOU CAN TOO! 2 THINGS YOU NEED TO COPE WITH DISASTER
I’ve never been through a natural disaster as massive as the tornadoes that tore through Mayfield last December. But back in 2002, a twister showed up literally on my doorstep — and it scared the bejesus out of me! I had no idea what was coming. I was busy studying for my LSAT exam the next morning (the test that decides whether or not you can get into law school) and nursing my son Zachary. He was just 4 months old at the time. Now he’s 20! Anyway, my then-husband was upstairs and I had the oldest three kids on the couch watching “The Wizard of Oz.” I decided to order pizza delivery to save myself the trouble of cooking dinner. I wanted to have a low-key night, get to bed early, and wake up well-rested for my exam in the morning.
front door. A pair of 2-by-4s were twisting in mid-air just outside the window — about to smash through!
I didn’t have time to grab our older kids. This tornado was going to come right through the door and kill me, my husband, and the baby before I got the chance.
“JOHN! KATIE! JESSICA!” I screamed, “GET TO THE BASEMENT!”
They must have heard the fear in my voice, because they ran like the devil was chasing them! Incredibly, the 2-by-4s just missed the window. All six of us dove into the basement and slammed the door. Twenty years later, I still thank my lucky stars for the way things turned out that night. The tornado ripped right past us. Those 2-by-4s gouged a scar into the sidewalk that’s still there today. But we made it — and so did our pizza! I’ll never forget the moment the kid from Domino's called to apologize: “Ma’am, it’s going to be a few minutes late.” He walked past all of the police cars and the remains of our neighbor’s roof in our yard and handed it right to me.
The universe had other ideas.
The tornado siren went off just as Dorothy was meeting the Tin Man. I ducked into the kitchen and turned on our itty-bitty kitchen TV, frantically flipping through the channels. None of the news reports mentioned the
sirens. “Okay, I thought. I’ll put the baby to bed and we’ll eat our pizza in the basement, just in case.” Compromise, right? Well, as soon as I set Zachary down in his crib, my ears popped. Like anyone who lives in tornado country, I knew right then we were in for a disaster! Forget about the pizza. The tornado was HERE. I snatched the baby back into my arms, shouted at my husband to get to the basement, and took off running down the stairs. It felt like I was moving in slow motion. As my feet sluggishly descended one step
It takes two things to get through disaster: insurance and community. I was lucky enough to have both. The insurance company swooped
in right away to take care of the damage to our home, and our entire street of neighbors helped each other rebuild. I even managed a great score on the LSAT. You never know when disaster will strike or how bad it will be, so cover your bases now — get that homeowners or renters insurance and comprehensive coverage for your car. Then, call your
neighbors. You won’t regret it!
after another, my eyes froze on the decorative glass at the top of our
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HOW TO INTRODUCE YOUR DOG AND CAT HELP YOUR FUR BABIES FIND HARMONY!
Everyone knows that cats and dogs don't get along ... or do they? There are a few ways you can help encourage your pets to get along, but it starts during the early, crucial moments of your pets’ introduction. For a gentle start, try desensitization. Let’s face it: Your dog is way more excited to meet your cat than vice versa! However, your dog may react dangerously to your cat, especially if it is still a kitten. The dog’s prey drive may kick in, causing overexcitement, and even seemingly harmless playtime can lead to fatal injury. One way to solve this is to “desensitize” your dog and get it accustomed to your cat’s presence.
You could set up a room for your dog or cat (which includes food, toys, and, if a cat, litter box), and a tall gate that your pets cannot climb or get past. Allowing them to view each other without direct interaction can help them become accustomed to one another. For a quick start, try a face-to-face introduction. Many people will try a face-to-face introduction first, but you can do this after desensitization as well. Before the introduction proceeds, both animals must be calm. One person should hold your dog on a loose lead, and pay attention to the dog’s body language while approaching the cat. If your dog has been taught commands, have it sit or lie down. Dogs that are too fixated on the cat — such as staring
at the cat, displaying stiff body language, and not listening when its name is called — may try to lunge and chase your cat. In that case, a desensitizing introduction will be needed. However, if the dog is relaxed, try to allow the cat to approach. Another person should watch your cat’s body language. If the cat is calm — isn’t raising its back or hissing at the dog — it can be allowed to approach the dog. A dog training technique known as Look at That (LAT) can be viewed on YouTube, which may aid in teaching your dog to remain calm when meeting new animals and people. No matter the method, we hope this guide provides important starter tips to turn your furry housemates into best buddies for years to come!
To do this, separate your cat and dog and only allow them to view each other at specific times.
WE JUST SENT OUR FRIENDS! 3 LOCAL BUSINESSES TO CHECK OUT
Ashley Gray-Ziba Attorney
When our team calls our clients and referral partners to check in, one thing we always ask is, “Is there anything else we can help you with?” Legal questions aren’t the only thing
I’ve made a referral recently to the La Casita Center. It’s a local nonprofit that helps empower, support, and educate families in Louisville's Latinx community!
we can pitch in on. If you need to find a new dentist or you’re on the hunt for the best Mexican food in town, we’ve got you. Our team can make all kinds of recommendations (or tell you the places to avoid!). Here are just a few of the referrals we’ve made in the last few months. If you’re looking for a new hairdresser or a community of fellow Spanish-speakers, check out these local businesses!
Jessica Maza Receptionist
I recently referred someone to Premier Cleaners. They are a local dry cleaner in Middletown. They saved me in time for the wedding I was in this past weekend. My dress came to me stained and they took great care of it in a timely manner, and kept me updated the entire time — not to mention they were very cost-effective as well!
Donna Irvin Executive Assistant
I have referred someone to Fusion Salon, located in the Westport Village. They have a wonderful atmosphere, and Christa Erie has been great to work with.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. If you ever have a question about where to find a particular product or service here in Louisville, give our office a call. We’re happy to help, even if your question has nothing to do with car crashes!
2 | call or text (502) 771-1LAW (1529)
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HAVE A LAUGH!
DID YOU GET A CARE CALL? Why We’re Calling 100 Clients Recently, our team committed to making 100 “Care Calls” within 90 days. That means we’ve called/are calling at least 100 of our former clients, just to check in, say hello, and remind you that we still care — even if your case is closed. Maybe you got a call already! The way we see it, just because you’ve cashed your check and we’ve cashed ours doesn’t mean we aren’t still here to help you out. We’re always happy to make recommendations for any product or service you might be looking for.
INGREDIENTS
Need a new physical therapist? We know several!
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2 tbsp olive oil 1 onion, chopped
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1/4 tsp pepper
4 cups chicken broth
d
Want our take on the best barbecue in Louisville? We’re happy to help.
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups water
3 carrots, sliced
1 1/4 lbs bone-in, skinless chicken thighs 1 cup uncooked white rice
On the hunt for a caterer or florist for a wedding? We’ve been there, done that.
3 celery ribs, sliced
2 chicken bouillon cubes 1/2 tsp dried parsley
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It can be tough to find a vendor in an area you’ve never bought in before, let alone land on someone who will do a great job and provide good customer service. When you ask us for a recommendation, you know you’re going to get both of those things, because we’ll only send you to someone we really like.
Salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. In a large pot over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the carrots and celery, then sauté for 1 more minute. 2. Add the bouillon, parsley, pepper, chicken broth, and water. Stir, then add the chicken thighs. 3. Cover and simmer on medium-low for 30 minutes, then add the rice. Stir, cover, and simmer for 15 more minutes. 4. Remove the pot from the heat and transfer the chicken to a large bowl. Shred the meat and add it back to the soup. Discard the bones. 5. Stir, salt, and serve!
Making these referrals is also a whole lot of fun. We’ll take any excuse to talk about our favorite pizza place or local musician — wouldn’t you?
Hopefully, if someone asks you for advice on where to go for help, especially after a car crash, our firm’s name comes up. We love getting recommendations just as much as we love giving them. Dozens of our clients send friends and family to us every year, and it feels amazing to know they trust us to help the people they love the most. If you’re one of those clients, thank you! We appreciate it so much when you pass along our name. We’d also love to hear how your friend, family member, or coworker felt about our service. Did we do a great job? Are there things we could have done better? We want to know, especially if something felt off. To share that feedback, either positive or negative, please call the office (502-771-1529) and ask to schedule an appointment with Melissa. She would love to hear your side of the story.
Inspired by RecipeTinEats.com
WE WANT YOU TO THINK OF US AS YOUR LAW FIRM. If you have a legal matter that needs attention, let us know. If we can’t handle the matter, we will refer you to a firm that can. Please feel free to refer us to your friends and family for their legal needs. We welcome the opportunity to help.
call or text (502) 771-1LAW (1529)
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
6100 DUTCHMANS LN. STE. 601 LOUISVILLE, KY 40205
INSIDE
MELISSA’S TORNADO SURVIVAL STORY 1
INTRODUCE DOGS AND CATS LIKE A PRO
3 LOCAL BUSINESSES WE RECOMMEND 2
DID YOU GET A CARE CALL?
NO-FUSS CHICKEN AND RICE SOUP 3
DIY FALL SCAVENGER HUNT FOR THE FAMILY 4
READY, SET, SCAVENGE!
EXPLORE WHAT AUTUMN OFFERS
As the leaves begin to fall and the air becomes cooler, it is a sure sign that summer is slowly coming to an end. Though we will miss the pool parties and backyard barbecues, there is still lots to look forward to during fall. Autumn is known as the season of change, and getting the kids outside allows them to understand and explore the changes going on in the world around them. Creating a fall scavenger hunt is a great way for kids to practice their reading and observation skills, all while still enjoying the outdoors. Signs of Fall Creating a specific scavenger hunt for signs of autumn is a great way to enhance your child’s observation skills. Consider the following for your signs of fall hunt: 1. Leaves that have changed colors 2. Tree seeds or pine cones that have fallen to the ground
3. Items from a fall harvest (like pumpkins, sunflowers, or hay bales) 4. Changes among people’s apparel (such as jackets, hats, and scarves) 5. Animals hibernating or migrating Fall Color Wheel The best way to explore autumn’s colors is by creating a fall color wheel hunt! Since the leaves are the surest signs of fall, kids can compare and contrast the different colors of each leaf they find, making this a fun hands-on activity. You can either download a color wheel template from the internet or make one yourself! All you need is a piece of paper that’s big enough for kids to tape the leaves onto and different areas for the colors red, yellow, orange, and brown. This will help kids see the different kinds of leaves as well as their visual changes during the season. The weather is getting colder, but it doesn’t mean you have to hibernate too! Bundle up with a cozy sweater and beanie, and encourage the family to get outside to explore all of the wonderful changes autumn has to offer.
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